March 4, 2023 — “Give Willingly”

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” Psalm 25:4-5, 10

To give willingly is a challenge to be confronted by all people, Christians and non-Christians alike. When we are moved by the Holy Spirit to give, then it becomes a priority. Jesus teaches us to be prepared to give of ourselves as he modeled for us through the Cross. As such, we consider how we can give of our time, talents, and resources freely. But waiting is not a discipline that comes easily either. Waiting is hard. In fact in our society, with same day delivery and rapid fire responses via email and texting, we find it even more excruciating to have to wait.

During this season of Lent, take some time to discern what it means to give willingly, and to wait patiently. In both cases, we seek G-d’s will – for it is only through the presence of the Holy Spirit that one, or both, are within our grasp.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, only with your help will I be able to “wait upon the Lord” with a patient spirit and a giving heart. Amen.

Pastor Dave

March 5, 2023 – Lent 2A

“Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:1-17

Many times, the parables and stories of Jesus resonate with us because we often can relate to a specific character in the story. It is not too difficult to decide who it is we may associate with in this story. I think we can all see ourselves in the character of Nicodemus – at least in one of two ways. Many Christians keep their faith hidden, keep people hidden in the dark, about their faith – afraid to share it. The other way that we can see ourselves in the person of Nicodemus is because we, like him, have so many questions. And the most common question is “How can these things be?”

When bad things happen to us, or when we are faced with horrible events witnessed throughout the world, I am afraid that too many people will lose faith in G-d or at least find themselves with more questions (like “How can G-d allow this to happen?”) than answers. Tragedies in this world do happen because of sin – some due to bad choices, others due to the brokenness of creation. G-d intended a perfect creation, but sin, disobedience and evil have corrupted creation. And so because of sin, disobedience and evil, G-d did something unthinkable. And it is announced in the Gospel of St. John 3:16-17: “God SO LOVED the world, that he gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

In other words, G-d has acted, in love, before we could even think about a response. You see, what sustains our faith in the face of tragedies is the fact that G-d’s love for us is not conditional – it is unconditional. G-d’s love for us is perfect – this world is broken.

The events of this life will often leave us in the dark, like Nicodemus, asking G-d questions. We often lay awake at night, worrying, wondering, questioning, seeking answers. We can’t stop bad things from happening, although we can limit them with good choices. And we cannot stop bad things from happening in the dark. And though things may come after us in the dark – the physical darkness, and the darkness of this world – we are reminded today that Jesus is always present, always there, to welcome us, and to guide us through the dark and the light alike. Shouldn’t we then share the LOVE of G-d every day?

Pastor Dave